I had the bucatini with burrata which was delicious! But what was above and beyond was the staff! Owner Luis and staff were so kind to write down other places for this CA girl to try and ensure I made my way to the hotel safely as there was a guy lingering outside. Very sweet. Highly recommend a visit and chat with them. read more

Olea is one of those rare neighborhood restaurants that feels special the second you walk in. The space is cozy and welcoming, the kind of place you want to linger all night, and the BYOB atmosphere makes it even better. The owners and staff are wonderful, warm, attentive, and genuinely passionate about what they do, which you can feel throughout the entire experience. Luis is an absolute gem and makes you feel like a regular even if it's your first time there. The food is incredible. The pork dish was perfectly cooked and full of flavor, the artichokes were honestly some of the best I've had, and the whole branzino special was outstanding, fresh, beautifully prepared, and one of those dishes you keep talking about after the meal is over. Every course felt thoughtful without being fussy, just really great cooking done right. It's the perfect cozy restaurant for a date night or a small dinner with friends, and one of those places you immediately know you'll be going back to. Olea is easily one of the best BYOB spots around. read more

Great vibes here! The server was extremely attentive. The restaurant was very clean and played some fun music. Now for the food! The octopus app was to die for. It was soft and surprisingly not chewy, like a lot of octopus is served. I also very much enjoyed my swordfish dish. It was topped with crab, which is always a hit. It was perfectly cooked and buttery in flavor. Really good. My partner got the gnocchi. It was also very good. Great little spot in Old City! BYOB and cash only. read more

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Olea has some of the best pasta that I've had, definitely highly recommend if you're in the old city area! Just a heads up, this Mediterranean BYOB is also cash only, and reservations are recommended since it's pretty small and cozy inside (I'm estimating probably only 30 seats inside). I went there with a group of 4 and service was great (super friendly staff) - the meal starts with complimentary pita bread, hummus, and olives for the table to share, which were yummy. We also decided to go family style & ordered 4 pastas to share: the gnocchi, fettucine, rigatoni, and ravioli. Usually when it comes to pasta, I find that the flavor is typically pretty one-dimensional. However, the balanced flavors of the cacio e pepe rigatoni with the lobster and black truffle made it my favorite out of all the pastas! It was rich, but not overpowering. The ravioli (not pictured) also shines with its unmistakable goat cheese flavor. As a lactose intolerant girlie, I finished every bite of that rigatoni because it was sooo worth it. I'm definitely coming back again to try some of their other dishes! read more

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Wow. One of the best meals I've had in some time. The rigatoni with lobster was sensational. A dish like this is easy to become too rich and complicated; this was perfectly balanced. The fettuccini with shrimp and pesto was excellent as well. Same with the artichoke appetizer. Dessert, while fine, was probably worth skipping. Ambiance was awesome: small place, quick service, attentive staff. read more

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Came here with my family to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant itself is very intimate with only about 30 seats, so reservations are a must. We were greeted with a lovely set of olives, hummus, and pita bread, which were heavenly. For appetizers, we ordered the artichokes ($18, Garlic white wine, anchovies, lemon butter) and beets ($17, Arugula, feta, pecans, red onions). The beets were definitely the highlight! For mains, we shared the gnocchi ($28, Bell peppers, sausage, tomato sauce), ravioli ($29, with cream sauce) and salmon ($29, which came with some veggies). Out of these, the gnocchi was probably my favorite. The salmon was cooked very well (crispy on the outside but not dry on the inside). However, I will say that I felt the portions were quite small and we left not feeling entirely full. The service was impeccable, and felt like a very personalized unique experience. Overall, it was a special dining experience, but I felt that the portions were too small to justify the prices. Also, they are cash only, so just be aware! read more

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We loved everything about Olea. The ambiance was relaxed and comfortable. The staff was top notch. The food was on point. My colleague and I had the ravioli and they were to die for. Others had the steak and mussels. Everyone was pleased with their meal. The next time we're in Philly, we will definitely go again! read more

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$ CASH ONLY $ Super friend staff. Delicious food. I arrived at the first seating when they opened at 5pm. Was quickly seated, given water, menus, and the day's special. Our appetizers came out quickly hot and delicious. Only complaint was that the gnocchi was quite salty that we couldn't finish. Took it home to dilute. The peach salad from there special of the day was my favorite read more

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This is a cozy spot in old city. Such an intimate space. The service was so prompt and we were taken good care of from the minute we walked in. Delicious hummus, pita and olives were delivered right away. We ordered two appetizers; the shrimp and the octopus. Both were very good but the octopus stood out. Lots of flavor. I ordered the whole branzino and my friend ordered the pork chop. Her pork chop was excellent with a tasty sauce and was very juicy. I enjoyed my branzino, but was wanting a bit more flavor, perhaps a sauce? However, It was cooked well and was flaky. The chocolate pot de creme at the end topped off the meal nicely. BYO, so don't forget the wine! read more

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Such a shame. It was disappointing, we tried to get a reservation online and failed. So we decided to stop by and see if they accepted walk-ins. Unfortunately, we were turned away very rudely and told nothing was available without a reservation, even though the restaurant appeared to be half empty. We understand policies are in place for a reason, but a more courteous approach would have gone a long way! read more

Fantastic food and even better service from Louis, the server. I could not recommend Olea enough.

CASH ONLY Great food, nothing out of this world. Kind server A nice and quaint restaurant located in Old City. This is BYO, so that is a plus. We ordered a whole bunch of things and although all tasted good, i wasn't slapped in the face with their flavors. There is a an option where you can ask for 1/2 gnocchi and 1/2 ravioli if you want to try both and not break the bank. $30 Overall, good establishment. read more

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Amazing experience from start to finish, featuring delicious food, attentive staff, and beautiful presentation. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared, creating a memorable meal we would happily enjoy again with friends anytime. read more

Amazing ambience, food and service! This restaurant is definitely checking all the boxes. We were super impressed by everything! Thank you Luis for making our anniversary a memorable and spectacular experience read more

Had an absolutely amazing experience at Olea! Food was 12/10 outstanding, service was perfect, ambiance was so so cute. And we loved chatting with the owner Luis! Would absolutely recommend! read more

Very, very good mussels (might stab someone with my fork if they tried to take any). Luis is known to be one of the best servers in Phila, and when he takes care of your table - it's obvious why he's rated great. He is professional, prompt, extremely knowledgeable, and makes dining here memorable. Music playlist enhances the ambiance throughout the restaurant. If I recommend Olea too much, might not be able to get a res next time I want to go. read more

When someone says 'get the pork chop' you GET THE PORK CHOP. One of the best things i've eaten. Steak was also delish. Room was cozy, service was IMPECCABLE. olives and hummus was a lovely touch. Will be back. read more

We have been coming here for years. Food and service were excellent. This time we were surprised by discovering on our check an unmarked 20% gratuity charge for the two of us. Keep an eye out for this 20% add to your bill before adding another tip. read more

saw this restaurant as one of the best in old city, and I was not disappointed. This quaint lil place was byob and cash only. If you don't have cash you can use the atm at the market and get a bottle of wine there as well. We got a bottle joanna and the ambiance was so cozy and intimate. Luis made the experience so memorable! The food was incredible. Save room for the pistachio tiramisu, it will change your life. Thank you for an awesome meal. We will 100% be back! read more

Olea - Pistachio tiramisu - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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The food here is so delicious. I was also amazed when the waiter went above and beyond. I had asked if I could substitute the barramundi sides with couscous but decided against it. I imagined the original pairing on the menu is probably better anyways. However, the waiter ended up bringing out a couscous side on the house and it just so happens to be the most delicious couscous dish I've ever had. (I promise it's not because it was complimentary). I love the way the pearl couscous was prepped - it has what tasted like chopped almonds and some cranberries and very refreshing seasoning. The barramundi was very delicate and buttery. It reminded me of a fancy tilapia. My friend got the bucatini and it was so delicious she finished it all! I would love to come back again. This place is ideal for dates as well. **This place is BYOB and Cash only. read more

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Had dinner at Olea with my YELP friend, Anna last Thursday and had a great time! Our server was incredibly nice and made us feel so welcomed from the moment we stepped into the restaurant. We really felt as if we were treated like family when we were at Olea. To start, Anna and I shared an order of artichokes, which consisted of 4 pieces. The artichokes were delicious. They had a creamy texture and were very tender. For 2 people, this was enough since there was also the complimentary pita bread, hummus and olives for us to share. For our mains, I really wanted to try the pork chop that everyone is raving about, but ended up going with the Bucatini since I was starving and craving carbs. Anna went with the Barramundi that came with its own sides. She considered subbing out one of the sides for Couscous, which our server was happy to accommodate. In the end, Anna decided not to get the Couscous and to just stick with the dish's default sides, which sounded very appealing too. It did not take long for our food to arrive. As our server set our entrees in front of us, he brought over an extra side of Couscous for Anna on the house, which was super sweet and thoughtful of him. We both enjoyed our dishes. The food was delicious, but on a scale of 1-5, I would rate it a 4. Hospitality, on the other hand, was a 6/5. We were too full for desserts this time, but we definitely would love to come back again to Olea soon. read more

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Fantastic restaurant! The food was exceptional, full of fresh flavors, and beautifully plated. The service was fast, warm, and professional. Truly one of the best meals I've had recently. read more

We just had the most wonderful meal at Olea. It was warm and welcoming and the staff was fantastic. We ordered a few things to share among the 3 of us and each dish was outstanding. We ordered a pasta dish that we had to modify because of an allergy--they were happy to make the change and the result was simply delicious. We were so full that we decided to order just one dessert to share. We ordered pot de creme--the most delicious pot de creme I've ever had. I wished we had ordered three of them. It was delightful. I can't wait to go back! read more

Whoa, look at me, another fancy restaurant! It's a small place and very welcoming. It gets busy at times, so you might want to make a reservation. If you want alcohol, bring your own since they don't have it here. Honestly, I prefer this rather than being limited to an overpriced alcohol selection. The pork chop was recommended to me. Who gets a pork chop at a fancy restaurant? I don't ever eat pork chops! What did I order? Yup, a $32 pork chop... Good god, this was the best pork chop I've ever had! Thick, juicy and delicious. If you don't love this pork chop, I will fly to Philly and finish it for you! Truly awesome. Everything else on the menu looks great, but damn, that pork chop! The crème brûlée pie was a nice way to end the meal, but completely overshadowed by the pork chop! read more

Olea - The best pork chop ever! - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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What an evening at Olea! Celebrating a graduation with close friends couldn't have been better than at Olea. The salmon was divine--light, buttery, with a perfectly crispy skin. The orange roughy was expertly cooked, harmonizing beautifully with the risotto and vegetables. Portions left us satisfied yet craving more. But the real star? The shrimp and fettuccine Alfredo stole the spotlight, disappearing faster than you can imagine--it wasn't just eaten, it was devoured! read more

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Wow, just wow! I am speechless on how delicious everything was. From the moment I walked into the door until I left, I felt like home (but without having to clean up after myself). The staff was beyond spectacular and the food was om nom yum. Everything was so fresh and balanced. Started off with the octopus and artichokes. The roasted pepper sauce for the octopus was delicious. I practically licked the plate. As for the artichokes, the sauce was light and balanced. Next came the ravioli. Oh man, this was probably the best ravioli I've ever had. From the stuffing, to the wrapper, to the sauce. Mmmmm. Perfect al dente, perfectly stuffed. And the sauce was just perfection. I could have eaten the whole thing myself. For the entrees, we had the pork chops and the whole fish (for that evening, it was a snapper). Pork chops were so tender/moist. It was also very flavorful. The fish was fileted and put back together. Hahaha, I was eating it like it still had the bones until I got halfway through and was like, where's the bone?? The sauce had hints of horseradish, which I'm usually not a big fan of, however, whatever they balanced it with worked. Lastly for dessert, we had this pistachio cake and chocolate cake. Both were light, airy, and sooooo delicious. I honestly can't wait to be back. read more

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What a treat! The service is impeccable. The food is outstanding. I absolutely loved this restaurant- you gotta go and experience a top notch experience. read more

Tried this gem on NYE, it was unbelievable to say the least. Service was impeccable from when we walked in the door to the end, ambience super cute & quaint and food was superior. LOUIS made our night! Tried the following: - JUMBO LUMP CRAB CAKE with dill aioli. - BEEF CARPACCIO arugula salad, shaved parmigiano, truffle vinaigrette - EGGPLANT ROLLATINI asparagus, whipped ricotta, tomato coulis. - PORK CHOP (14 oz.) sautéed mushrooms, scallion mashed potatoes, port wine/truffle reduction - WHOLE BRANZINO lobster, asparagus, caviar, cognac cream sauce - CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE, chocolate ganache, buttered graham cracker crumble - ALMOND BUTTER CAKE with lemon curd, whipped cream #oleaphiladelphia #phillyfood #phillyeats #Philadelphia #phillyfoodie #phillyfoodies #phl #delcopa #delco #impossibletraveler #BRANZINO #crabcake #shrimp #lobster #chocolate #buttercake #BEEFCARPACCIO #almondbuttercake #mediterranean #crab #caviar read more

What a gem!!! I just had dinner with my sister, niece and dear friend. We all love a good meal. A meal is more than the food - it is the company, the service, the coffee, feeling welcome, the decor, the ambiance - so many pieces. Louis and his staff have created a refuge at a time when the world is on fire and we need to seek out joy. Olea is pure joy. BYOB. Cash only. Come, you won't regret it. read more

Oh man, what an awesome spot! Everything was great (from the service, to the vibes, and the food.) I have zero complaints of this place. Octopus appetizer - probably the best I've ever had. I wanted to lick the plate. Ribeye ravioli - again, probably the best raviolis I've eaten. The sauce wasn't too heavy and the ravioli was stuffed perfectly. Fish filet - mmm, I love horseradish and the sauce they made with it for the fish was *chefs kiss* Pork chops - so tender. Didn't realize that pork could be this juicy. My newest date night spot, for sure!!! read more

The space is nice, the service is on point, the vibes are great and the food is phenomenal

The husband and I tried this BYO for the first time last Friday and had a solid first experience. The space is cute, cozy, homey and inviting. They start you of with complimentary hummus, pita, and olives- each subsequent portion is available for order at $10. Food: 4/5 Gnocchi - 4/5 taste was perfectly balanced, simple but well executed. I personally enjoy the soft pillowy gnocchi more, but don't get me wrong. This is a very good gnocchi Fettucini 4/5 all of the seafood was perfectly cooked, al dente pasta, and the sauce was perfection, again well balanced. However I would argue that it was closer to a pappardelle with that width Tuna steak 4/5 the puree was so smooth and well complimented the steak Service was good. At the end of our meal, we were so full especially since we ordered the extra tuna steak on top of our two entrees, we didn't have room for dessert. We were chatting with the server and said that we always enjoy savory over dessert, thus the double entree move. She made a comment "or better yet, a salted dessert" and we replied " oooh yes like a salted caramel, mm". She later brought over our check and complimentary salted caramel ice cream on the side, so sweet! Everything was solid, just nothing that blew me away to be a 5star. But I would absolutely recommend this *CASH ONLY BYOB * restaurant to anyone - and I would surely return in the future. read more

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Food and service were excellent! Louis was very helpful and recommended a wine pairing with the phenomenal pork chop.

Our evening at Olea was fabulous! The atmosphere is so warm and inviting, service is excellent and all of our food from the appetizers to dessert were absolutely delicious! The restaurant feels like you're having dinner in someone's home. BYOB is another plus! Looking forward to our next visit!! read more

Such a wonderful experience! The food was hot and delicious and the service was warm and welcoming. We haven't had such a great dinner in a very long time! Thank you! read more

Located in the heart of the Old City, Olea seems to be a neighborhood staple full of enthusiastic patrons enjoying the food and ambiance. Service was cheerful and efficient. The food was good in general we uncharacteristically ordered the whole branzino ($60) that was just OK and certainly not worth the steep price since it was bit overcooked and lacked flavor. If you go bring some good alcohol and avoid the high-priced "specials" read more

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Third time at Olea and the food and overall experience was just as fantastic as our first! So much depth of flavors to each dish - it really is a special place! The complimentary hummus, olives & pita is a perfect start. Hummus is rich and well seasoned, and the pita still warm. The fresh buratta is so creamy - it melts in your mouth (had it twice - once with the antipasto and again on top of the bucatini) The fresh bucatini pasta was cooked perfectly al dente and the sausage in the fresh tomato sauce was a perfect savory/acidic balance. The lamb chops were cooked medium and also melt in your mouth with a seared crust and beautifully balance glaze that you want to get every drop from the plate! We haven't eaten our way through the menu yet - but we're happy to be back again soon to keep working at it. read more

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What a great little neighborhood BYO with a warm and friendly environment and amazing service. The food was excellent too. Highly recommend the artichokes which were maybe the best I've ever had and the mussels with amazing broth. The salmon dish is fantastic as well. read more

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My husband and I made a reservation last night for 9:30 (it was 8:45). Had to run home and grab some wine so we walked in late. It was obvious most of the diners were finishing their meal but no matter to Luis. He greeted enthusiastically! After hearing my comments of how hungry I was, he quickly brought this right to the table. YUMMO! We've been here plenty of times before and it NEVER disappoints. The ambiance. The warmness of the staff. The gal that waited on us (Jane) is the sweetest. The FOOD!! We had the octopus and the artichokes. The shrimp pesto fettuccine and the salmon. We eat out regularly at some amazing restaurants and this one is right up there. Every morsel was AH-MAZING. You MUST go here. Run - don't walk. Louis's husband makes the desserts. Crazy good. Let me end with two words. Apple. Cake. read more

Olea - Mediterranean Near Me - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Good food, TERRIBLE SERVICE, not welcoming to children. We dined on a Saturday evening with our 15 mo old. We were initially warmly greeted by the host/manager however once we sat our only interaction with our server was 20 min later when he sat down at the table next to us and said "are you ready for me." This server Luis honestly gave off the impression that we were bothering him despite the fact that we were there to eat and spend money, maybe it was because we brought our daughter? I had heard another server offering specials to another table while we waited for service to which I inquired of Luis and was told they were sold out. Interestingly enough, I heard these specials STILL being offered as we were leaving. We ordered and our appetizer and entree were both dropped without us ever seeing our server again. No one checked in to ensure that everything came out appropriately or that we needed anything. I had to wave the host down to get another napkin for our daughter who I have to note dines out with us regularly and is well behaved for a toddler. The food was good, nothing special, fairly priced. We normally love dessert but were honestly so put off from the initial interaction to stay. A different server cleared our plates and dropped our bill. The kicker is that they automatically add 20% gratuity to your bill, even as a two top! I expressed to the manager our disappointing experience which stemmed primarily from Luis' initial foul interaction. I was told that Louis felt we weren't "a good fit" so he stopped taking care of us and the rest of the team stepped in. I'm astounded by some of these other reviews on Louis given how poorly we were treated by him. The only explanation I could come up with is we brought our baby to dinner which is pitiful. With so many amazing places to eat in the city with consistently welcoming and inclusive staff, I would steer clear of Olea and Luis especially if you hope to dine with your children. read more